Opened: July 16th, 2004
Backstage, Todd Grisham brought in Randy Orton for comments on the previous video package. Well, the graphics were off, the sound was odd, and Stephanie McMahon needed to powder her nose. Okay, he didn’t say that. Orton said Triple H accused him of being a coward, but Hunter is the one who broke into his home. You see, Orton is the one who kicked Vince and Shane so hard in the head that he felt their skulls crack and he put his hands on Stephanie for the RKO. Orton warned Hunter that he better remember who he’s dealing with. See, Hunter wanted to raise the ante, but he’s going to match that. Evil glare in his eyes. Whoa. Orton said he’s going to raise the level of his attack on the McMahon family tonight. Remember, Hunter, you brought this upon yourself.
WWE champion TRIPLE H vs. RANDY ORTON & TED DIBIASE, JR. — handicap match
Orton and DiBiase charged him in the ring before they could get an opening bell, then the fight moved to the floor. Hunter smashed Orton into the announce table, which has taken a beating tonight. Hunter suddenly took control and went under the ring for the hammer, but there was Cody Rhodes with tape all over his upper body to sell last week’s beating from Hunter. Cody pulled out some handcuffs, then Legacy dragged Hunter into the ring and cuffed him to the top rope. Hunter tried to fight back with his uncuffed right arm, but Legacy subdued him with punches and kicks.
Orton took the mic and said there is only one person that can save you now, Hunter. She had better hurry, Orton said. Orton then retrieved a sledgehammer and threatened to lay out Hunter, but Stephanie McMahon ran to ringside and pleaded with Orton not to do anything. She cried as Hunter told her to fall back because he has this under control. Stephanie hopped on the ring apron with her tears as Hunter struggled to his feet and Orton stood center ring. Stephanie was suddenly cornered and Stephanie walked into position for Orton’s elevated DDT. Orton teased it several times while Hunter pleaded with him not to do anything. Orton then dropped Stephanie with the DDT and Hunter buried his head in his hand.
Hunter screamed out at Orton and tried to grab the hammer, but Orton pulled it away. Orton then turned Stephanie over so she was face-up and teased a sledgehammer shot. Huge heat as Hunter tried to reach his feet to stop Orton while cuffed to the top rope. Orton slowly placed the hammer down by Stephanie’s head, then he knelt down next to Stephanie in a viper-like position. He then planted a kiss on Stephanie and smiled toward Hunter. Orton waited through Hunter’s violent outbursts while cuffed to the top rope, then he picked up the hammer and smashed Hunter in the face. Orton seemed to drift in and out of an IED/Herbal Essences state while the ref talked to him. Orton slowly left the ring to a chorus of boss as Hunter was motionless cuffed to the top rope and Stephanie remained out cold in the ring. Orton stared longingly into the sledgehammer with Cody and Ted by his side. They showed Hunter coming to his senses in the ring but unable to reach Stephanie as Orton stared into the ring to close the show.
WINNER: No Match. Very intense angle and exactly what WWE needed to get heat back on Randy Orton as a vicious, unethical heel. Violence against women isn’t acceptable, but it’s typical McMahon fare of proving they will do anything for the business. Orton’s stalking became very graphic to the point where it looked like he was going to do unmentionable and unairable things to Stephanie. Perhaps WWE’s idea of PG TV is different than mine, but that pushed the limits of decent TV to go-away TV despite bringing Orton back to a very vicious heel level.
